Amelia Bullmore, the versatile actor and writer best known for her work on Coronation Street, Happy Valley and Scott & Bailey, sat down for a frank interview that touched on everything from her earliest ambitions to her thoughts on mortality. At 62, she reflects on a career spanning three decades, her family life, and the simple pleasures that keep her grounded.
Early Life and Career
Born in London, Bullmore studied drama at Manchester University before landing a regular role on Coronation Street in 1990. Since then she has appeared in a string of notable television dramas, including I’m Alan Partridge, Ashes to Ashes, Twenty Twelve and Riot Women. She also co‑wrote the award‑winning play Mammals and has written episodes for long‑running series such as Scott & Bailey and This Life. This autumn she will take the stage at York Theatre Royal in Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, running from 10 to 31 October.
Personal Reflections
When asked about her happiest moments, Bullmore replied, “When were you happiest? I’m often very happy when I’m in – or just out of – the sea.” She admits to a tendency to over‑talk, saying, “What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Chipping in, overtalking.” Conversely, she finds indirectness irritating in others: “What is the trait you most deplore in others? Not being direct.”
One of her more embarrassing recollections involves a gossip slip: “What was your most embarrassing moment? Gossiping about someone and it getting back to them.” On spending, she notes that holidays top the list: “Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought? Holidays. We had an amazing splash‑out in Venice at Christmas. It was the first year without both my mum and dad and it seemed a good idea not to attempt to do the old version without key players.”
Her most treasured possession is a sentimental necklace: “What is your most treasured possession? A necklace my mum gave me when I was 14.” When fantasising about a superpower, she imagines being able to multitask in a very domestic way: “What would your superpower be? To be able to split in two to, for example, make a pot of soup while finishing off a bit of work.”
On appearance, she jokes about wishing for longer legs and a “staggering mane”: “What do you most dislike about your appearance? I’ve mostly got the hang of it but, if it’s no trouble, could I please have longer legs and a staggering mane?” She also reveals a celebrity crush on former footballer Alan Shearer, adding, “Who is your celebrity crush? Alan Shearer. My husband calls me when he’s on TV, which is kind but needless, as I can identify Alan’s voice from anywhere in the house.”
Among her lighter confessions, she cites cuticle‑picking as an unappealing habit: “What is your most unappealing habit? Attacking my cuticles.” Her guiltiest pleasure is simple retail therapy: “What is your guiltiest pleasure? Clothes shopping.” And when pondering what she would bring back from extinction, she offers an unexpected answer: “If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose? Several postal deliveries a day.”
Love and Family
Bullmore speaks warmly about her husband, fellow actor Paul Higgins, and their two daughters. Describing love, she says, “What does love feel like? All that’s required.” She expands on the greatest love in her life: “What or who is the greatest love of your life? In the romance category, Paul Higgins must get a special mention for staying power and jokes. I adore our kids. I absolutely love my family. I couldn’t get by without my friends. I think love of colleagues (there’s probably a Greek word for it) is under‑recognised.”
She recounts a memorable night that featured both her worst and best kiss: “What was the best kiss of your life? It was shortly after the worst kiss, with Paul in 1992, a very awkward wooden kiss, and then, later that same night, take two was much better. We met doing Romeo and Juliet. We weren’t Romeo and Juliet – it wasn’t that tidy.” When asked what she would leave her children, she offers a poetic answer: “What would you like to leave your children? A bolthole. An actual one, and an inner one.”
On personal achievements, she is unequivocal: “What do you consider your greatest achievement? Making the babies and pushing them out.” She also shares a youthful brush with the law: “What has been your closest brush with the law? I was pulled over as a young driver. I’d had some cider, the tyres were bald and I hadn’t approached the roundabout sensibly. They let me off.”
Looking Ahead
When pressed about whether she would want more sex, money or fame, Bullmore’s reply is succinct and characteristic: “Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? I wouldn’t adjust any of the above.” She looks forward to the unknown with curiosity: “What happens when we die? I can’t wait to find out. I can actually.” Reflecting on recent emotions, she notes, “When did you last cry and why?
